Score Four

About this board game

Score Four is a bead-placement game for 2–4 players, with play lasting about 30 minutes. First released commercially in 1967, it challenges players to position four beads of the same color in a straight line on any level or at any angle.

The central objective focuses on making lines of four within the playing structure. Lines may form across different levels or directions, creating a three-dimensional pattern-building challenge rather than limiting play to a single plane.

Several rule variations are associated with games in this group. Depending on the version being played, all beads may be used, with the winner determined by who creates the most lines of four. Another variation allows a player to capture an opponent’s bead whenever a line of four is made.

• Players: 2–4
• Playing time: approximately 30 minutes
• Goal: position four same-color beads in a straight line
• Line directions: any level or angle

Score Four was first sold by Funtastic before being produced and popularized as part of the Lakeside Abstract Series. After Lakeside stopped selling it, various commercial knock-offs appeared.

The game has similarities to several other alignment and stacking titles, including 3D Tic Tac Toe, Qubic, Double Decker, Helix, Quadrago, Eternas, Rex, Three Way Cube, and Hijara. These comparisons reflect shared ideas involving lines, levels, grids, posts, or stacked playing positions, while their rules and structures differ.